ACTIVITY MONITOR - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

SOF-811 

DOC-038 

Rev. 2.3 

Copyright © 2007 

All Rights Reserved 

MED Associates, Inc. 

P.O. Box 319 

St. Albans, Vermont 05478 

www.med-associates.com 

ACTIVITY MONITOR 

USER’S MANUAL

MED ASSOCIATES INC. ACTIVITY MONITOR 

- ii -


TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................ 1 

General Information ...........................................................................................1 

General Computer Environment.........................................................................1 

Installing the DIG-729 Interface Card ................................................................1 

Installing the Activity Monitor Drivers and Software .............................................1 

Backing Up Software .......................................................................................2 

Connecting the Activity Chambers......................................................................2 

Modifying I/R Array Height ...............................................................................4 

Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................ 5 

Getting Started..................................................................................................5 

General Software Information ...........................................................................5 

Introduction to Open-Field Activity Monitoring.....................................................5 

Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................ 8 

Menu Options....................................................................................................8 

File Menu Options ...........................................................................................8 

View Menu Options........................................................................................ 19 

Run Menu Options......................................................................................... 20 

Window Menu Options ................................................................................... 27 

Help Menu Options........................................................................................ 27 

Chapter 4 ...................................................................................................... 28 

Data Analysis Menu Options .............................................................................. 28 

Data Analysis Setup....................................................................................... 28 

General Analysis Information .......................................................................... 30 

Zone Analysis ............................................................................................... 32 

Rotational Behavior Calculations...................................................................... 34 

Using the Rotational Analysis Utility................................................................. 37 

Save/Load Protocol ....................................................................................... 37 

Chapter 5 ...................................................................................................... 39 

Inserts for Open-Field Activity ........................................................................... 39 

Dark Box Insert (Light/Dark Test).................................................................... 39 

Two Chamber Place Preference ....................................................................... 40 

Hole Board Task Floor.................................................................................... 40 

- iii -


Chapter 6 ...................................................................................................... 41 

Setting up an Ambulatory Experiment ................................................................. 41 

Chapter 7 ...................................................................................................... 50 

Setting up a Hole Board Experiment ................................................................... 50 

Appendix I .................................................................................................... 57 

File Naming and File Types................................................................................ 57 

File Naming.................................................................................................. 57 

File Types .................................................................................................... 57 

Appendix II ................................................................................................... 59 

Available Data ................................................................................................. 59 

Summary Data.............................................................................................. 59 

Analyzed Data .............................................................................................. 62 

Hole Board Task Data .................................................................................... 69 

Exported Raw Data Files ................................................................................ 72 

Appendix III.................................................................................................. 74 

Importing Data Using MDB to Excel .................................................................... 74 

Appendix IV .................................................................................................. 78 

Using Box Size, Resting Delay, Include Resting Delay, and Ambulatory Trigger ......... 78 

Defining Distance Traveled ............................................................................. 78 

Differentiating Between Large/Quick and Small/Slow Movements ......................... 79 

Appendix V .................................................................................................... 81 

Multiple Users ................................................................................................. 81 

Appendix VI .................................................................................................. 83 

ENV-520 Jumper Positions for Nodes 1-16 (Chambers 1-8)..................................... 83 

Appendix VII ................................................................................................. 84 

Hole Board Protocols ........................................................................................ 84 

Non-Habituation Protocol ............................................................................... 84 

Habituation Protocol ...................................................................................... 84 

Appendix VIII ............................................................................................... 85 

Start on Remote Start Command ........................................................................ 85 

Appendix IX .................................................................................................. 87 

DIG-729 ISA Card ............................................................................................ 87 

- iv -


CHAPTER 1 

General Information 

General Computer Environment 

The minimum recommended system is as follows: 

• 800 MHz or faster computer with at least one free ISA or PCI slot, or one USB port. 

• Windows 98, 2000, or XP 

• 256 MB of RAM (512MB of RAM if running Windows 2000 or XP) 

• 1 GB of free disk space 

• CD-Rom drive 

• Mouse 

Installing the DIG-729 Interface Card 

Always turn off the power before working on the computer or chambers. Neglecting this 

precaution may cause serious damage. If a DIG-729 PCI card is being used, install the 

DIG-729 card according to the instructions provided with the computer for installing a 

PCI card. 

Installing the Activity Monitor Drivers and Software 

Prior to installing the software, the necessary drivers must be installed on the computer. 

Insert the Activity Monitor CD into the CD-ROM drive and the screen shown in Figure 1.1 

should appear. If it does not, open the CD-ROM drive containing the Activity Monitor CD 

and open the file named autorun.exe. 

Figure 1-1 - Activity Monitor Main Menu 

- 1 -


From the screen shown in Figure 1-1, select the type of DIG-729 device being used, then 

follow the instructions to install the device drivers. Once all of the necessary drivers 

have been installed, select To install Activity Monitor 5 click here. 

Backing Up Software 

Making a backup copy of any data files created by Activity Monitor (especially the file 

DEFAULT.ZIP) is strongly advised. 

Connecting the Activity Chambers 

Connect the DIG-729 card to the ENV-520 Controller on Chamber #1 using the 15 pin 

SG-219C control cable. 

NOTE: The chambers numbers are indicated on the ENV-520 Controllers. This number is 

factory set with jumpers inside the ENV-520 and should not be modified unless necessary 

(Appendix VI). 

Figure 1-2 - Activity Chamber Setup 

Additional chambers are connected via their ENV-520s controllers with SG-219C control 

cables, starting at Chamber #1 and proceeding in sequence, in a daisy chain fashion. 

For example, if there are four chambers, Chamber #1 connects to Chamber #2, Chamber 

#2 connects to Chamber #3, and finally Chamber #3 connects to Chamber #4. Ensure 

each connector is securely attached to the ENV-520 by tightening the screws on the 

cable. Connect the power cords from all ENV-520s to the SG-506 power supply. See 

Chapter 3 for a quick hardware test utility that can be run to verify proper operation of 

all photo beams before actually running an experiment. 

MED Associates assembles equipment prior to shipment. The ribbon cables are 

connected from the ENV-520 to the I/R Array Strips as shown in Figure 1-2. The 

corresponding receiver strips are located directly opposite the transmitter strips. 

- 2 -


Figure 1-3 - Activity Chamber with Hole Board Insert 

• Hole Board Transmitters 1 and 2 connect to the “Transmitter 3” port on the ENV- 

520 Controller. 

• Hole Board Receivers 1 and 2 connect to the “Receiver 3” port. 

• Transmitter 1 gets connected to the “Transmitter 1” port. 

• Transmitter 2 gets connected to the “Transmitter 2” port. 

• Receiver 1 gets connected to the “Receiver 1” port. 

• Receiver 2 gets connected to the “Receiver 2” port. 

An easy way to check that the I/R Array Strips are correctly connected is to run a quick 

one-minute test experiment. Place an object into the test chamber and confirm that the 

red dot on the run-time screen is tracking correctly (i.e., back left in the chamber should 

be top left on the screen and front right in the chamber should be bottom right on the 

screen). 

- 3 -


Modifying I/R Array Height 

Do not assume that the factory set I/R Array heights are appropriate for the experiments 

being run. Different ages and strains of subjects may have vastly different physical 

characteristics. Also, because we have developed inserts (Chapter 5) to increase the 

system’s functionality, the I/R Array strip heights from the environment floor may need 

to be adjusted. 

The closer the I/R Array strips are placed toward the subjects' vertical center (for X & Y 

arrays), the better the data. If a subject is too low for the I/R strips, or capable of 

"crouching" periodically below the strips, the subject may disappear from "sight" of the 

system from time to time. The software is designed to remember the last location and 

pick back up when the subject becomes "visible" again. Typically, this will have little 

bearing on the data; however, if using Velocity data, there could be a sudden increase in 

a subjects' velocity and Jump Counts and Time will be affected. There may be other 

scenarios whereby inaccurate I/R strip placement may present erroneous data, so use 

care in this process. 

The "Z" I/R Array strips should be placed in the lowest available position capable of 

detecting vertical activity and not detecting normal "X" & "Y" activity. If the strips are 

too high, some rearings may not be detected, or slight "bouncing" while rearing may 

cause multiple rearings to be detected when only one rearing episode was indeed 

elicited. 

- 4 -


CHAPTER 2 

Getting Started 

General Software Information 

Data analysis has been taken to an entirely new level with the addition of such measures 

as rotational behaviors, zone entries, jumping, etc. (Appendix II) added to the system. 

Data acquired on systems using Version 3.0 or higher may be reanalyzed in this version 

to obtain these new measures. The analysis parameters may be changed and the data 

re-analyzed to extract additional information. 

The Activity Monitor is designed for use with MED Associates hardware to collect, plot, 

and analyze activity data. All standard data is displayed in real-time, along with a 

cumulative plot of the subject's activity. The data acquisition configuration files, which 

specify the state of the system (Resolution/Sample Rates, Ambulatory/Stereotypic 

Movement definitions), are stored in filename.CFG files. The default settings are userdefined 

and determined the very first time that the Activity Monitor software is run. See 

Chapter 3, for Configuration File set up. 

In addition to providing the database to store all experiment and subject data and 

information, we have also provided the option to create an ASCII text and a "hard copy" 

printed summary data file automatically. After each subjects’ session or after each 

experiment (multiple subjects), the software can print the summary data automatically 

and save a summary data file for each subject, simply by checking the appropriate check 

boxes in the preference settings window (Figure 3-3). Likewise, analyzed data and Raw 

Point data ASCII text files may also be generated aside from the database file. All ASCII 

text files are named according to the file-naming scheme presented in Table 3-4 and 

discussed in Appendix I. 

There are two database files created by the Activity Monitor software: EXP.MDB and 

ANALYSIS.MDB. These files are Access ® database files, but may be opened with many 

database programs. In order to extract precisely formatted data, they must be 

manipulated or sorted with a database program that can open a standard Access ® 

scheme. We have opted to create this database to enable researchers to export an 

entire experiments worth of analyzed data, sorted and defined, into a spreadsheet to 

make Subject, Group, and Experiment data analysis simple and fast. 

Introduction to Open-Field Activity Monitoring 

Open-Field Activity (OFA) monitoring is a sensitive method of measuring both gross and 

fine locomotor activity in small animals. In general, computerized OFA characterizes 

multiple end points of motor behavior, and has proven to be a powerful assessment tool 

with many applications in behavioral pharmacology, toxicology, and genetics. For 

example, dopamine agonist studies can use distance traveled in centimeters as a 

measure of gross motor activity that is amenable to quantitative analysis. Opiate 

tolerance studies can examine overall distance traveled, but can also utilize time and 

distance in the margin of the chamber as well. Anxiety can also be characterized with an 

- 5 -


OFA system using the above mentioned thigmotaxis measure and by examining patterns 

of exploration in a brightly lit arena with a dark area (See Dark Box Insert – Light/Dark 

Conflict Test). In addition, other models with proven construct validity, such as the hole 

board task and place preference, can also be performed with the MED Associates’ 

System. These add-on components make the MED Associates’ OFA system very versatile 

and an excellent value for laboratories that are both space and cost conscience. 

Two standard sized environments, the ENV-510, 10.75" X 10.75" X 8" H (27 X 27 X 20.3 

cm) and the ENV-515, 17" X 17" X 12" H (43.2 X 43.2 X 30.5 cm) are suitable for mouse 

and rat protocols, respectively. The system consists of a subject containment 

environment (chamber), infrared (I/R) sources and sensors, a system power supply, an 

environment data source controller, appropriate connecting cables, a PC/environment 

interface card, and the data acquisition/analysis software. Subject location is tracked 

using 16 evenly spaced I/R sources and sensors juxtaposed around the periphery of the 

four sides of the chamber. This I/R beam array defines an X and Y coordinate "map" for 

the system. The sensors detect the presence or absence of the I/R beam (i.e., the 

subject) at these corresponding coordinates. 

At user defined time intervals, the software has instructions to “poll” the environment for 

the presence or absence of the I/R beam at each sensor. This is the scanning rate or 

sampling rate of the system. If the I/R beam fails to reach the sensor, the system 

registers this event as a broken beam and assumes the presence of the subject. Broken 

beams at X 1,2,3,4 and Y 2,3,4,5 are averaged, with the resulting microprocessor derived 

coordinate being X = 2.5 and Y = 3.5 or just 2.5, 3.5. The averaged beam breaks or 

subject "centers" are the data that the software algorithms use to derive the behavioral 

parameters such as distance traveled and time spent in a given zone. The software thus 

has a resolution of 32 x 32. 

By scanning or “polling” the environment many times a second, the OFA system can 

effectively track the movement of a subject very precisely. The faster the scanning rate, 

the greater the accuracy of the system for high speed behavioral measures such as 

stereotypic behaviors, as well as for event-related, time-sorted data. 

We offer variable scanning rates to accommodate personal preferences ( 

Table 3-1). Many researchers feel that there are few advantages to faster scanning rates 

for long trial runs where the data of interest does not require the increased rates. After 

all, faster scanning rates mean larger data files and longer post-hoc data analysis 

processing times. 

For such researchers, we have designed the software so that measurements may be 

taken as small samples, repeated at preset intervals ( 

Table 3-1). This allows for focused data files and virtually eliminates the need to sort 

through large quantities of data to extract the desired measures. Experience in this 

matter will help to determine the test type, continuous or segmented, and the scanning 

rate that is best for the application. 

The addition of a photo beam array above a subject adds a second plane of detection to 

the system. This is used to detect the presence or absence of a subject in this plane. 

The "Z" coordinate is used to detect rearing or standing on the hind legs. 

- 6 -


The menu selections are outlined in the next chapter. The above general system and 

open-field information will assist with understanding what the menu selections mean and 

why they are important. 

- 7 -


CHAPTER 3 

Menu Options 

To run the Activity Monitor, select the Activity Monitor program group and double click on 

the Activity Monitor icon. The main Activity Monitor screen appears with a copyright 

screen that disappears after a few seconds (Figure 3-1). 

Figure 3-1 - Activity Monitor Copyright Screen 

The main Activity window is now displayed. This window is blank. There is a menu 

displayed across the top of the window with all the software functions that are accessible 

within this blank window. 

File Menu Options 

Preferences 

Select File | Preferences to setup the configuration file to match the system and 

the particular experiments. Parameters do not need to be entered every time an 

experiment is run. The default settings are user-defined and are determined the 

very first time that the Activity Monitor software is run. 

The filename.CFG file controls how the software acquires the data, from the 

system-sampling rate to where the raw data files are to be located. The raw data 

is compressed in a filename.ZIP file automatically. Within this ZIP file are the 

raw binary data files that are named according to the date on which they were 

created (mmddyyyyA0 - Z99, i.e. 01012003.A0 (January 1, 2003), and are linked 

to their appropriate subjects’ data file. These are the files used by the system for 

playback and analysis. The settings in the Preferences window may be changed 

at any time but may change the nature of summary data. Therefore it is not 

recommended that these settings be changed in the middle of running an 

experiment until this manual has been read. Experiment configuration settings, 

however, may not be changed in the middle of an experiment. 

- 8 -


Figure 3-2 - File Pulldown Menu 

Figure 3-3 - Preferences Screen 

NOTE: Changes to the Chamber Model, Units, and Include Resting Delay will change 

Summary Data measures, making them inconsistent. Use caution. This 

information is coupled with the Experiment Configuration File information to 

determine how the software records the data and where it stores the files, but 

is independent in that these settings may be changed in the middle of an 

experiment. 

- 9 -


Following installation, the default configuration must be set up such that the software 

has the necessary information to begin acquiring data. The information entered in the 

Preferences window must reflect the system. In this manner, the default settings will 

match each individual system exactly. 

The preferences screen requires the following information: 

Table 3-1 - Preference Configuration Options 

Item Description 

Data Directory 

Name: 

Data Reporting 

Mode: 

A = Absolute 

R = Relative 

Display Time in 

Hours 

The directory to store the data (*.ZIP) files. If unsure which directory to use, use the 

browse button. A subdirectory named DATA in the Activity Monitor directory is advised 

and must be created first. Also, this directory will also be the location of the database 

files (EXP.MDB and ANALYSIS.MDB), Summary, and Zone Analysis text files will be 

located. 

The program has been developed to create the database(s) and *.ZIP files in the chosen 

directory. This allows multiple users to have their own separate database of 

experiments. See Appendix V for details. 

In Absolute mode each time bin holds the sum of all data since the experiment began. 

The Relative mode each time bin holds the sum of the data since the last time bin. 

The Data Reporting mode affects how the data looks when it is sent to the printer and 

how the data looks in the Summary data file. It is also used to determine how the data 

will be presented in the Analyzed data files. 

When checked, time is displayed as hours:minutes:seconds (000:00:00.00). If 

unchecked time is displayed in minutes as minutes:seconds (0000:00.00). 

Units The units of measure, centimeters or inches, that distance data will be displayed in. 

Number of 

Chambers 

The number of test chambers being used (1 – 8). The test chambers always start at 

number one and proceed in sequence (Chapter 1). 

Chamber Models Provides the chamber product number: 

ENV-510 for 10.75” X 10.75” (mouse) chambers with 16 beams 

ENV-515-16 for 17” X 17” (rat) chambers with 16 beams 

ENV-515-32 for 17” X 17” (rat) chambers with 32 beams 

VID-510 for 10.75” X 10.75” (mouse) chambers for use with Video Tracking Interface 

VID-515 for 17” X 17” (rat) chambers for use with Video Tracking Interface 

VID-410 for 7” X 9.5” (mouse) home cages to be used with Video Tracking Interface 

VID-415 for 8” X 17” (rat) home cages to be used with Video Tracking Interface 

It is important that the correct chamber is selected so that distance traveled data is 

calculated correctly. Different sized chambers may be used at the same time. 

Print These check boxes are used to automatically activate printing using the self-explanatory 

options: 

Off (do not print the data file) 

Session End (print the data file after each subject is run) 

Experiment End (print the data file when Run | Close Experiment is selected) 

Justify If Right is chosen, then all data will be right justified in its field. 

If Left is chosen, then all data will be left justified in its field. 

This can sometimes make it easier to import data into a spreadsheet program. 

- 10 -



Include Resting 

Delay 

Generate 

Summary File 

Automatic File 

Naming 

Start on Animal 

Entry 

Start on Remote 

Start 

Use Video 

Tracker 

Select Computer 

Source 

As detailed in Appendix IV, the "Box" serves three primary functions; in particular, to 

filter movement data for a more precise distance traveled measure. Activation of this 

check box removes the filtering from the distance-traveled measure. This box should not 

be checked unless attempting to duplicate data that was generated on a system that 

does not have this "filtering" capability. 

This option creates an ASCII text summary file that will be automatically saved in the 

data directory. If the Automatic File Naming option is turned on, then the file name is 

generated automatically from the values entered into the Subject, Experiment, and 

Group fields on the “Run Experiment” screen. The file will also have the extension 

“SUMMARY.” This option allows the user to store to disk the summary data, which may 

also be printed, for backup. Every time that a subject is run, the new summary data is 

appended to the existing file. 

Creates data filenames according to the file-naming scheme presented in Appendix I. If 

this check box is not selected, the User must manually enter a file name. 

Enables the system to begin a session as soon as the subject is placed into the chamber 

and the first sets of photobeams have been broken. This is a very nice feature for the 

hole board test and for starting sessions when the computer is in another room. This 

feature cannot be used with Video Tracking Interface. 

Enables the system to begin a session as soon as the Remote Start Event for that 

chamber has been set. This allows 3 rd -party programs (like MED-PC IV) to remotely start 

the Activity chambers. If both “Start on Animal Entry” and “Start on Remote Start” are 

checked, the chamber will not start until it has received a Remote Start Event and the 

animal is present in the chamber. See Appendix VIII for more information on the 

Remote Start command. 

This feature must be enabled to allow collection by Activity Monitor of video tracking 

data captured via the Video Tracking Interface program. 

When collecting data via the Video Tracking Interface (VTI), this option selects the 

computer that the VTI program is running on. In Windows 98, this information must be 

manually entered (typed); For example, if the VTI software is running on the computer 

“video”, then enter the text \\video In Windows 2000 or XP, click on the 

“Select Computer Source” button to browse for the appropriate computer. If Activity 

Monitor is running on the same computer as VTI then clicking on “My Network Places” 

and clicking OK will set the computer to itself, as shown in Figure 3-3. 

Chamber Models 

Activity Monitor can acquire data for eight different test subjects simultaneously, 

as indicated by the drop down menus numbered 1 – 8 in the “Chamber Models” 

field of the Activity Monitor preferences screen shown in Figure 3-3. Video 

Tracking Interface (VTI) can acquire data from four cameras, depending upon the 

capabilities of the computer, and each camera can track either one, two or four 

animals depending upon the type of chamber/cage platform being used: VID-515, 

single rat activity chamber; VID-510, dual mouse activity chambers; VID-415, 

dual rat home cages; VID-410, quad mouse home cages. 

When Activity Monitor is using VTI to acquire data, the chamber model used for 

each test subject (1 – 8, as appropriate) needs to be set in the Chamber Model 

field of the Activity Monitor preferences screen. The chamber model is dictated 

by the number of cameras VTI is using and also by the chamber/cage platform 

used. 

- 11 -


VID-515 acquires data from one animal per camera, so for a two-camera setup 

chambers one and two should be set to VID-515. 

VID-510 acquires data from two animals per camera, so for a two-camera setup 

chambers one through four should be set to VID-510. 

VID-415 acquires data from two animals per camera, so for a two-camera setup 

chambers one through four should be set to VID-415. 

VID-410 acquires data from four animals per camera, so for a two-camera setup 

chambers one through eight should be set to VID-410. 

Data Analysis 

The File | Data Analysis option brings up a listing of data files for analysis or 

re-analysis. The data files are in the database EXP.MDB and are separated by 

Experiment ID. Clicking on the corresponding experiment (top list in Figure 3-4) 

and scrolling through the individual subject data sets (bottom list Figure 3-4) until 

the desired subject/session data is found can find a specific data set/session. 

Figure 3-4 shows the screen displayed when the Data Analysis menu option is 

selected. Chapter 4, has the necessary details to analyze the data. To select 

data to be analyzed, simply click on the subject/file name on the lower half of the 

screen display to activate that file. Use the Shift key to select more than one file 

to analyze. Column widths may be resized using the mouse in the header 

column. 

Figure 3-4 - Data Analysis Database Window 

- 12 -


Experiment Maintenance 

File | Experiment Maintenance menu option allows viewing, printing, and 

deleting of the information in the database (Figure 3-5). Clicking on the 

corresponding experiment (top list in Figure 3-5) and scrolling through the 

individual subject data sets (bottom list Figure 3-5) until the desired 

subject/session data is found can find a specific data set/session. To delete the 

data, left mouse click on the corresponding line. It will become outlined, then 

click the delete button. Column widths may be resized using the mouse in the 

header column. 

The Print button can be used to reprint the Summary data file that was created 

when the experiment was first run. The data can be printed in either Relative or 

Absolute mode. If the data has been imported from a zip file, then it is not 

possible to reprint the Summary data file. 

Figure 3-5 - Experiment Maintenance Window 

- 13 -


Import Data 

The File | Import Data option allows the user to import data acquired with this 

version and earlier versions of the Activity Monitor software, store the data in the 

database, and analyze this data with the latest measures. Import multiple *.ZIP 

files simply by using the Shift or Ctrl keys when selecting the files. Like data files 

that are created when an experiment is run, data files that are imported are 

reformatted and stored in the raw data *.ZIP file. 

Export Data 

The File | Export Data option allows an Activity data file to be selected and the 

point data saved as an ASCII text file with a filename generated according to the 

Data Filename scheme presented in Table 3-3, with a EXPORT extension. This 

utility is available for those researchers who wish to analyze data by writing a 

program in Visual Basic or some other language. Once a pattern is identified, the 

only way to extract very complex behaviors may be to do custom programming. 

MED Associates designs software with the most often used measures, but certain 

researchers may be interested in a particular behavior that only a few are 

knowledgeable enough to discern and differentiate. This can be done with ASCII 

point data. After selecting a data file, the Save Raw Data screen (Figure 3-6) 

appears. Click on the file to export. Another screen then displays (Figure 3-7) 

and requests the following information: 

Table 3-3 - Saving Point Data as an ASCII File 


Annotated File / 

Stripped File 

Select the type of file output. The annotated file includes the experiment header 

information. The stripped file only includes the point data information. When 

importing information into a spreadsheet it is advisable to include the annotated file 

for the first data file and stripped files for each subsequent file. 

Time: Select the time period, in minutes to include in this file. Any part of a session or the 

entire session may be specified. This is typically used to save time by allowing 

specific sections of the data to be exported as determined during data analysis to 

view time sequenced data measures 

Save As Clicking on this button will bring up a Save As file screen so the filename for the 

point data may be entered. 

Cancel Exits the Save Raw Data screen without saving the data. 

- 14 -


Figure 3-6 - Export Raw Data Screen 

Figure 3-7 - Save Raw Data Screen 

- 15 -


ENV-520 Test... 

This menu option provides a graphical interface for testing the ENV-520 

controller, photo beam strips, and the interrupt on the DIG-729 card for each 

chamber (Figure 3-8) and for all chambers simultaneously (Figure 3-9). This can 

also be used to test if the Video Tracking Interface (VTI) system is working 

properly. To test the VTI system, please be sure that the Preferences menu is set 

to Use Video Tracking, and that the appropriate computer is selected. Then 

start capturing data on the VTI system. Once this is done the ENV-520 Test can 

be run. This ensures that the equipment is in proper working order and identifies 

where hardware problems may be occurring. Should there be problems with the 

system, contact MED Associates for troubleshooting help. 

This test should be run when the equipment is set up, and if using the DIG-729, 

before every session. First run the multi-chamber test by checking the Display 

Raw Values check box. Make sure that there are no subjects in the chambers. 

Click start. If the X, Y, or Z values are any number other than zero, check for 

obstructed photo beams. The number of beam breaks should be zero. If there 

are multiple beam breaks on the X, Y, or Z-axis when no subjects are in the 

chamber please contact MED Associates. If there are many chambers (nodes) 

with values other than zero, contact MED Associates. 

Table 3-4 - ENV-520 Hardware Test Utility 


Select Chamber Select the chamber number to test. Only 1 chamber can be tested at a time. 

Display Raw Values This allows the viewing of the bit values for all chambers simultaneously. 

Tick Count Time increments 

Start Click this button to start the test. Photo beams that are blocked or not functioning, 

displays as a red dot. Functioning photo beams display with a gray dot. 

Stop Clicking on this button stops the interrupt and stops displaying data. 

Exit Exits the ENV-520 Test screen. 

- 16 -


Figure 3-8 – ENV-520 Test Screen to Isolate Blocked or Non-Functioning Photobeams 

Figure 3-9 - ENV-520 Test Screen for All Chambers. 

- 17 -


Print 

The Print option is only available after an experiment is completed or after data 

has just been analyzed. Different menu options are available depending on 

whether an experiment finished or data was played back. 

Figure 3-10 - Print Options Are Available After Running and Experiment or Analyzing Data 

Exit 

Session Data 

Available only after an experiment is complete, this menu option prints the 

selected chambers' summary data files to the Windows default printer. 

This option may also be activated to automatically print by selecting the 

Print on Session End or Experiment End radio button on the File | 

Preferences screen (Figure 3-3). 

Data Windows 

Available after an experiment is complete or after a data analysis, this 

menu option prints the selected chambers' data windows to the Windows 

default printer. 

Graph Windows 

Available after an experiment finishes or after a data analysis, this menu 

option prints all the chambers' graph windows to the Windows default 

printer. 

This exits the Activity Monitor program. If an experiment is running, the data 

saves and prints in the same fashion as canceling an experiment. 

- 18 -


View Menu Options 

These three options are used to determine how the subjects' activity displays graphically 

in the real-time display of activity and in the data analysis utility of the software, should 

Display Grid During Analysis be activated. 

Figure 3-11 - View Pulldown Menu 

Line Trace 

This is the default plotting option. It plots a dot as the center of the subject and 

draws a line showing all movement. 

Box Plot 

This option shows the stereotypic box around the dot that represents the center 

of the subject. The subject can be seen moving within the box during stereotypic 

movements. When the subject becomes ambulatory, the box moves to the new 

center of the subject. 

Dot 

This option plots just the dot that represents the center of the subject. 

View Summary File 

This option will open and allow the user to view the contents of the summary 

data files (files that have the SUMMARY extension). 

View Analysis File 

This option will open and allow the user to view the contents of the data analysis 

files (files that have the ZONE extension. 

- 19 -


View Export File 

This option will open and allow the user to view the contents of the exported data 

files (files that have the EXPORT extension. 

Run Menu Options 

Figure 3-12 - Run Menu Options 

Open Experiment 

Select Run | Open Experiment to display the Run Experiment window that is 

the heart of this program. The Run Experiment screen (Figure 3-13) is the 

interface for the database(s) mediating experiment and subject data acquisition 

and storage. Since the Open Experiment menu option is actually the first in a 

series toward running the experiment, the majority of the associated information 

can be found in Chapter 6. 

- 20 -


Figure 3-13 - Run Experiment Screen 

- 21 -


The Run Experiment screen requires the following information: 

Table 3-4 - Experiment Database and Run Screen 


Current 

configuration: * 

The current system configuration filename is displayed at the top of the experiment 

setup screen when creating a new experiment. It is important to note that once an 

experiment is started with a specific configuration, most parameters may not be 

changed “mid-stream” so that continuity is maintained throughout an experiment. 

Experiment ID: * The Experiment ID may be up to 25 characters and is used for both the Data 

Filename (below and Appendix I) and as a link throughout the database to sort data 

accordingly. This field is used to automatically generate the Data Filename (below). 

There is a drop down menu associated with the Experiment ID. The second time 

that an experiment is run, simply select from the drop down menu the experiment to 

be run. The database is now loaded with the appropriate subjects' information and 

experiment configuration parameters. 

Experiment Title: * Experiment title may be up to 25 characters. This is a descriptor field for the 

Experiment ID. When the Data Analysis or Experiment Maintenance windows is 

opened, the Experiment Title is visible. This description of the experiment is present 

to allow the user to visualize which data sets may be selected for analysis, reanalysis, 

deletion, etc. 

Experiment 

Comment: * 

Maintained for database purposes and allows the user to add additional information 

pertaining to a given experiment. 

* These fields are experiment specific in nature. The information entered here is 

included in the database for all subjects run under this Experiment ID and Title. 

These subjects’ data will also have been collected using the stated configuration file 

and will have the added experiment Comment. 

Box # 1 - 8 Index 

Card Tab†† 

Activates the particular chambers' data entry screen. The active screen's 

information is subject/chamber specific in nature and is logged accordingly in the 

database. 

Subject ID: † Subject identifier, with 25 available characters. This field is used to automatically 

generate the Data Filename (below). There is a drop down menu associated with 

the Subject ID. The second time that an experiment session is run, simply select 

from the drop down menu the subject to be placed in the corresponding chamber. 

The database is now loaded with the appropriate subject’s session number and all 

corresponding information. 

Group ID: † Used as an identifier, with 25 available characters, and is linked to the Subject ID 

the first time that a subject is run in an experiment. This field is used to 

automatically generate the Data Filename (below). 

Session Comment: † All comments entered in this screen are subject specific in nature and are added to 

each subjects' session data file. 

Data Filename: † All data filenames are generated using the Subject ID, the Group ID, and Experiment 

ID. See Appendix I for details. If automatic file naming is turned off a filename 

may be entered. 

- 22 -



Start Box †† Used to tell the software to start the chamber when OK is clicked. If the Start on 

Animal Entry check box is activated in the Preferences screen and saved in the 

current *.CFG file, then the session begins as soon as the subject is placed into the 

chamber and the first photo beams are broken. 

Session Number Enter the session number in this field. 

Copy Data to All 

Chambers 

Copies the information in the current screen to all the other chambers. All data is 

copied except the Subject ID. 

Clear Data Clears all the data fields. 

OK If the Start Box check box is activated, closes the Chamber ID screen and starts the 

chambers. 

Cancel Closes the Run Experiment screen without running the experiment and deletes and 

chamber/subject specific information entered. 

Add New Experiment Clicking this button brings up the screen shown in Figure 3-14. Experiment 

Configuration sets data acquisition and ambulatory data parameters. Included in the 

Experiment Configuration File are the settings necessary to run a Hole Board test 

and to choose session type. 

† Subject specific in nature and added to a given subjects data file accordingly. This 

information is only linked to chamber specific information for a given session. 

†† 

These fields are chamber specific in nature and reflect the state of a given chamber 

during a given session. 

- 23 -


Add New Experiment 

Selecting Add New Experiment from the Run Experiment menu causes the 

screen shown in Figure 3-14 to appear. These settings may be modified in Data 

Analysis to examine the parameters in greater detail. Included in the 

experiment configuration file is the Hole Board Task definition. See Chapter 7, 

for more information. 

Figure 3-14 - Experiment Configuration 

By saving the entered settings using the Save As or OK buttons as 

DEFAULT.CFG, the first experiment is ready to be run using these settings. It is 

recommended that file names for configuration files reflect the protocol that is 

to be run. For example, changes in Box Size, Ambulatory Trigger, and Resting 

Delay for use in amphetamine studies could have a filename that reflects its 

usage, like Amphetamine_Box_Size.CFG. DEFAULT.CFG should be used for the 

first practice experiment and kept on the computer in the Activity Monitor 

directory. It is important to note that once an experiment is started with a 

specific configuration, it may not be changed “mid-stream” so that continuity is 

maintained throughout an experiment. 

- 24 -


Resolution (ms) 

min - 25 

max – 250 

The Experiment Configuration screens require the following information: 

Table 3-6 - Experiment Configuration Information 


Box Size (beams) 

min - 1 

max – 8 

Resting Delay (ms) 

min - 50 

max - 2000 

The rate that the Activity Monitor acquires the data from the test chambers. This rate is 

user-definable to enable variable data acquisition rates; thus, minimizing file size, or 

maximizing resolution, depending upon the type of data sought and the size of the hard 

drive. Larger data files require more disk space and longer analysis times. This rate is 

automatically set to 33 1/3 ms when using the Video Tracking Interface system. 

This setting is a vestige of days gone by when hard disk size and memory were limiting 

factors. It is recommended that 50 ms or less be used if using a new computer with 

plenty of disk space. 

Box size serves three primary functions: 

One, to delineate the maximum area that a subject may move within, and after the 

Resting Delay (ms) criteria has been met (below), to have each movement measures as a 

Stereotypic Count. If stereotypic is the primary measure, the size of the Box should be 

set to the maximum distance that the stereotypic behavior would attain without leaving 

(i.e. grooming could use a Box Size of 2 or 3 and head weaving could use a Box Size of 3 

or 4). 

Two, to "filter" movement data so that distance-traveled measures do not include 

"bouncing" or "flickering" artifacts. 

Three, the Box Size, Ambulatory Trigger and Resting Delay settings combine to create 

a threshold whereby a subject must move a certain distance (Box Size) in a maximum 

amount of time (Resting Delay) to maintain its ambulatory status. This is actually a 

method to define large (ambulatory/quick) and small (stereotypic/slow) movements. See 

Appendix IV. Standardized settings are not available, but would be dependent upon the 

application being used (ataxic vs. non-ataxic subjects) and the strain of mice being 

studied. 

Box size can be changed in Data Analysis. 

The Resting Delay is the amount of time the subject has to pass through the box (above) 

to maintain its ambulatory status, or to make another ambulatory movement after the last 

ambulatory movement. See Appendix IV. 

Resting Delay can be changed in Data Analysis. 

Ambulatory Trigger The number of beam breaks, after leaving the box, necessary to initiate an ambulatory 

episode and to have the ambulatory distance considered in the Velocity measure. 

Session Type (C, S) Select "C" for a Continuous session. Select "S" for a Segmented session. If a Segmented 

session is chosen, the configuration screen changes. 

Session Time (min) The amount of time for the session to run. 

Block Interval (sec.) The size of the Blocks (time bins) that the data are to be broken down into in the 

summary data files and the data that will be sent to the printer. 

This may be changed in Data Analysis. 

Compressed File Name of the ZIP file to store the raw data. If an extension is given, it will be ignored. 

See Appendix I. See Appendix V for multiple users and *.ZIP files. 

- 25 -



Hole Board Floor 

Installed 

Hole Board Strips 

Installed 

This option must be checked if the Hole Board Insert is being used. Please note that the 

Video Tracking Interface does not support the Hole Board. 

This option must be checked if the Hole Board I/R (4 x 4) arrays are being used to run the 

Hole Board Task test and the “X” and “Y” photo beams are being used to monitor general 

activity. 

Define Task Floor Click to view task definition screen (Figure 7-4). 

Load This option allows the selection of the experiment configuration file that will be used by 

the program to determine the data properties. 

Save Saves the present configuration information to the already named filename.CFG. For new 

configurations, use the Save As option. 

Save As... Brings up a Save As window a filename may be specified. When setting up the software 

for the first time, use the DEFAULT.CFG file name specified in the Save As window. 

OK After loading, changing existing, or creating new *.CFG files, this option allows the exiting 

of the Experiment Configuration File window. 

Cancel Exits the configuration screen without saving the information. 

Close Experiment 

Select Run | Close Experiment to abort a running experiment or close the runscreen 

when all subjects have finished. If print data at the end of an experiment 

(Figure 3-3) has been selected, this is when the summary data file will print. All 

the data that has been collected up until the time that the experiment was 

canceled, if still active, saves in the file names specified during Experiment Setup 

(Table 3-6 and Appendix I). If aborted experiment data files need to be deleted, 

it is best to do so immediately via the Experiment Maintenance window (Figure 

3-5). 

Start 

The Run | Start option displays the Run Experiment screen (Figure 3-13), where 

the subject specific and chamber specific information is entered. Clicking OK then 

starts the session. 

There are two Start options available while the experiment is running. Both are 

context sensitive in that the Start Windows pull down menu option and the Start 

right mouse click menu options are active window specific. For example, if there 

is eight chamber windows displayed and start is selected from the pull down 

menu, one of the box index tabs will be prominent. Viewing the chamber number 

in the mid-left side of the window indicates which window is active. The active 

chambers' window has a more prominent number than the other chamber 

numbers. That box depicts the active window of the eight. Clicking on a 

chamber display window and then selecting Start from the Run pull down menu 

causes that chamber (box) to be the prominent chamber (box) displayed in the 

Run Experiment screen. Likewise with the right mouse click menu, the computer 

- 26 -


mouse is placed over a specific chamber' display window and right mouse click, 

that chamber will be the selected chamber when Start is clicked. 

Cancel 

The Run | Cancel option cancels selected active chambers’ sessions. This is the 

same as closing an experiment except that only the selected chambers’ session is 

canceled. The data that was acquired up until the time the cancel was initiated 

saves to the corresponding subjects' file. Session data may be deleted using the 

Experiment Maintenance utility (Figure 3-5). 

Pause 

The Run | Pause option allows the user to pause a chambers' data acquisition, 

for whatever reason, and resume (below) when applicable. 

Resume 

The Run | Resume option resumes a paused chamber (above). 

Window Menu Options 

Tile 

Arranges the windows in a tile fashion. 

Maximize 

Maximizes the active chamber’s display window. 

Restore 

Restores the chamber-display windows to tiled. 

Help Menu Options 

Index 

Opens the Activity Monitor Help file and brings up the index. 

Using Help 

Opens Window's How to Use Help file. 

About Activity 

Displays the Activity Monitor copyright and version screen. 

- 27 -


CHAPTER 4 

Data Analysis Menu Options 

Data Analysis Setup 


After running an experiment, select File | Data Analysis to view a listing of experiment 

and subject/session data files (Figure 4-1). Once the appropriate experiment and subject 

have been selected, click on the OK button and the Data Analysis screen appears (Figure 

4-2). This screen is divided into three categories, General, Zone Calculations, and 

Rotational Calculations. This screen displays selected analysis numbers and check 

box annotations, which are set in the associated Select Definition windows of the 

program (Figure 4-8 - Figure 4-10). 

Figure 4-2 - Data Analysis Screen 

- 28 -


There are five check boxes that control the following: 

Table 4-1 - Data Analysis File (Display and Analysis Sections) 


Rotational Analysis Activates the select definition bar to define the rotational behavioral analysis. These 

parameters are defined in the corresponding Select Definitions display window 

(Figure 4-8 - Figure 4-10). Activation of the check box increases the analysis time 

considerably. 

Zone Analysis Activates the select definition bar to define the zone analysis. These parameters are 

defined in the corresponding Select Definitions display window (Figure 4-5 – Figure 

4-7). 

Display Grid View subject movement graphics and the associated measures while the data are 

being analyzed. This is nice to see when the program is first run; however, when 

analyzing multiple data sets (perhaps 100s), this feature slows down the analysis time 

considerably. It also allows movement plot graphics to be printed at the end of the 

analysis. 

Write Summary File Automatically generate an ASCII text file of the analysis data. These summary 

analysis data files are named according to the file naming structure. Every time that 

a subject is run and the data is analyzed or re-analyzed, the associated data 

measures are appended to the file. These data are always in the common subject 

data file. The same analysis information is also present in the ANALYSIS.MDB 

database file. 

Create Database 

Entries 

Create ANALYSIS.MDB database entries of the analyzed measures. Both ASCII text 

and database files are generated if both Write Summary File and Create Database 

Entries check boxes are activated. 

- 29 -


General Analysis Information 

Figure 4-3 - General Analysis - Continuous Experiments 

Figure 4-4 - General Analysis - Segmented Experiments 

The first Select Definition grouping is the General Analysis group. These parameters 

were established in the Experiment Configuration setup, but may be modified for data 

analysis. 

The following parameters may be changed in the General Analysis section: 

Start Time 

default - 0 

Table 4-2 - General Data Analysis 


End Time 

default - end time 

Select the minute to start the data analysis from. The default and recommended 

setting for first time data analysis is 0. Like End Time, listed below, this feature 

is useful primarily only after data has already been analyzed and specific time 

bins need to be further defined. 

Select the minute that the data analysis should stop. The default is the end of 

the protocol. This feature is useful primarily after data has already been analyzed 

and specific time bins need to be further defined and analyzed using, usually, 

smaller time blocks. 

Sample Number If a segmented experiment was run, then the Sample Number option will appear 

instead of the Start Time and End Time options. The Sample Number option 

allows for selection of which segment to analyze. 

- 30 -



Data Block Interval 

Sec. 

Data Blocks 

Numeric 

Box Size (beams) 

min - 2 

max – 8 

Resting Delay (ms) 

min - 50 

max - 2000 

Data may be analyzed as a series of time blocks. This feature is useful for 

examining instantaneous values (1 sec) or larger to determine time sequenced or 

event related values. A summary total of all of the data blocks is always provided 

in the output data file. This interval is independent from the interval set in the 

Experiment Configuration screen in that this value may be changed for each data 

file re-analysis. The Experiment Configuration Block Interval is used only for 

summary and print data. 

The number of Data Blocks is established when the analysis time (entire session 

or a portion there of as defined by the Start and End Time listed above) is broken 

up by the Data Block Interval. 

Box Size serves three primary functions: 

One, to delineate the maximum area that a subject may move within, and after 

the Resting Delay (ms) criteria has been met (below), to have each movement 

counted as a stereotypic movement. 

Two, to "filter" movement data (Appendix IV). 

Three, the Box Size and Resting Delay settings combine to create a threshold 

whereby a subject must move a certain distance (Box Size) in a maximum amount 

of time (Resting Delay) to maintain its ambulatory status. 

The Resting Delay is the amount of time the subject has to pass through the box 

(above) to maintain its ambulatory status, or to make another ambulatory 

movement after the last ambulatory movement. See Appendix IV. 

Ambulatory Trigger The number of beam breaks, after leaving the box, necessary to initiate an 

ambulatory episode and to have the ambulatory distance considered in the 

Velocity measure. See Appendix IV. 

- 31 -


Zone Analysis 

The Zone Setup screen allows the user to define the X and Y coordinates of the zones to 

be analyzed. All of the behavioral measures will then be determined for each zone, as 

well as totals for all zones. Up to 4 zones plus 1 residual zone may be created or 

selected (Figure 4-5). A number of preset zone options have been provided. They 

include Horizontal, Vertical, Quadrant, Corner, and a number of user-definable, and 

savable, spaces for custom zones (Figure 4-6). The zones defined must be rectangular in 

shape and cannot overlap one another. Any part of the activity area that is not defined 

within a zone is counted as the residual area (Figure 4-5 and Figure 4-7). 

Figure 4-5 - Zone Setup Screen Illustrating Pre-Defined Menu Options and Residual Area 

Figure 4-6 - Save Customized Zone Settings 

- 32 -


Figure 4-7 - Use of the Residual Area Configuration 

The Zone Setup screen requires the following information: 

Table 4-3 - Zone Setup for Data Analysis 


Number of Zones This pull down window allows the selection of 1 – 4 zones. There are actually five possible 

zones of analysis, the number selected with this item and a residual zone. 

Pre-Defined A number of pre-defined zones present with each number of zone settings (Figure 4-5). 

These pre-defined settings may be used, or different user defined settings may also be used. 

Start X The starting X-coordinate for the zone being defined. 

Start Y The starting Y-coordinate for the zone being defined. 

End X The ending X-coordinate for the zone being defined. 

End Y The ending Y-coordinate for the zone being defined. 

Display Displays the zones that have been defined in the Zone Display on the bottom of the screen. 

User-Defined 

Settings 

Using the above text boxes to enter an analysis configuration, these settings may be saved by 

clicking the Save As button (Figure 4-6 and Figure 4-7). 

Save This button allows saving changes that may have been made with the User-Defined Settings. 

Save As Associated with User-Defined settings above. 

OK Closes the Zone Analysis Select Definitions window. 

Cancel Exits the zone setup screen without incorporating any of the settings. 

- 33 -


Rotational Behavior Calculations 

With the MED Rotational Analysis Setup, the user can select from three pre-defined 

settings to analyze for large, medium, and small clockwise and counterclockwise 

rotations. We have also provided user-definable quadrant, radius and onset/backtrack 

tolerance settings to provide flexibility for subject/treatment specific analyses. 

The preset values analyze for small (Figure 4-10), medium (Figure 4-9), and large 

rotations, up to the entire diameter of the chamber (Figure 4-8). This ability to classify 

rotations based upon their size (actually maximum radius) was initiated in light of current 

research examining rotations as wide or pivotal. Remember, the OFA system tracks the 

center of the animal, therefore the rotations considered are ambulatory circles, the path 

of which is defined by the radius, number of segments, and segment limits (forward and 

reverse). Bear in mind that rotations around the animal’s center (i.e. rotations for 

chasing its tail) cannot be detected by this system. 

Figure 4-8 - Large Circles Values to Analyze Clockwise and Counterclockwise Rotations. 

- 34 -


Figure 4-9 - Rotational Analysis for Medium Radius (6.5 Photobeams) 

Figure 4-10 - Rotational Analysis for Small Radius (2.75 Photobeams) 

- 35 -


It is recommended that the preset analysis settings be used, however, the Rotational 

Analysis Setup window has three display windows (Figure 4-8 - Figure 4-10) for userdefined 

rotational analysis configurations. The top left window displays the quadrant and 

maximum radius information in such a way as to allow the user to view and understand 

what changes with the quadrant and maximum radius do to the analysis. As the 

numbers in the setup boxes change, the corresponding display window changes 

accordingly. The top right window displays, in a pie chart, the number of Segments, 

single pie slices that allow the user to set "degrees of freedom" for the Forward Limit 

(red pie slices) and Reverse Limit (green pie slices). These settings tell the software how 

far a subject must move in order to start looking for a rotation and how far a subject 

may back track and not start logging a rotation in the opposite direction. This 

"tolerance" has enabled us to get very reproducible results. 

The following information is required to run Rotational Analysis: 

Table 4-4 - Rotational Analysis Continued 


X Number Of Quadrants Divides the chamber into the specified number of X quadrants. 

If the number of X and Y quadrants to 3 is set to 3, then the picture in the left hand 

window will look like a Tic-Tac-Toe board and four intersections will have been 

created. Each intersection will have a circle created around it. The size of the circle 

is determined by the Radius (see below). 

Y Number Of Quadrants Divides the chamber into the specified number of Y quadrants. 

Radius 

(number of photo beams) 

Determines the size of the circle around each intersection. The animal must stay 

within the circle for the entire rotation or it will not count. Therefore small radiuses 

will catch only small rotations and large radiuses will catch larger rotations. 

Segments Determines how many pie slices to divide each circle into. 

Forward Limit The Forward limit determines how many pie slices forward the animal can move in 

one tick (usually 50ms). It is designed to help detect if the animal is crossing 

through the center of the circle. 

: Segments is set to 8 and Forward Limit is set to 4. If the animal starts in pie slice 1, 

it can safely move to pie slices 2, 3, 4 (clockwise rotation) or 8, 7, 6 

(counterclockwise rotation) and still be considered in a rotation. If the animal moves 

through the center of the circle to pie slice 5, then it will no longer be considered a 

rotation. 

Reverse Limit Determines how many pie slices the animal can move in the reverse direction in one 

tick (usually 50ms) before the software starts to look for a circle in the opposite 

direction. It also helps detect if the animal crossed the center in the opposite 

direction. 

: Segments is set to 8 and Reverse Limit is set to 4. If the animal starts in pie slice 1 

and then goes into pie slice 2, then the animal can safely to into pie slices 1, 8, and 

7 in the reverse direction before the rotation is thrown out and a new one is started 

in the opposite direction. If the animal goes through the center of the circle into pie 

slice 6, then the rotation is not counted and a new one is started from pie slice 6. 

- 36 -



Pre-Defined Settings We have included three pre-defined settings for Large, Medium, and Small rotational 

behavior monitoring. 

The Large rotations settings are 17 x 17 quadrants, 11.3 Radius, 16 Segments, 5 

Forward Limit segments, and 5 Reverse Limit segments. 

Medium rotations use a Radius of 6.5 photo beams. 

Small rotations are up to 2.75 photo beams in radius. 

User-defined Settings Like the Zone Analysis Definition window, the Rotational Behavior Analysis utility 

allows the saving of the settings determined above as User-Defined (Figure 4-6). 

Save As Associated with User-Defined settings above. 

OK Closes the Rotational Behaviors Select Definitions window. 

Cancel Exits the Rotational Behaviors setup screen without incorporating any of the settings. 

Using the Rotational Analysis Utility 

The preferred method of using the rotational analysis is to use a control group to first 

determine the control groups’ rotational behavior. Once their behavior has been 

determined, it is then possible to see how other groups’ rotational behavior compares to 

the control. Note that when comparing rotational behavior, the exact same parameters 

must be used for the comparison. For example, the effects of intoxication might be 

compared by looking for large, slow-moving circles. In such a case the radius should be 

set high, the number of segments should be set very high, and the forward and reverse 

limit should be set low. This will detect large, slow moving circles and allow comparisons 

between a control group and other animal groups. 

Note that the radius is defined in beams. In an ENV-510 chamber, the beams are spaced 

5/8 of an inch apart. So if the radius is 6.5 beams, it is equivalent to 6.5 * 5/8 = 4.0625 

inches. In an ENV-515 chamber, the beams are spaced 1 inch apart. So a radius of 6.5 

beams would be equal to 6.5 inches. 

Save/Load Protocol 

After all of the Data Analysis Setup information has been entered, the established 

analysis protocol can be saved. This allows the user to use the same settings to analyze 

all pertinent data sets by loading this protocol prior to data analysis. This protocol 

should be named such that the name represents, in some manner, the function. 

Subsequent data analysis sessions can be expedited by simply loading the named 

protocol and by clicking Analyze. Below is a graphic of the Data Playback Screen. The 

data may also be analyzed and the subject plot viewed in the process (Figure 4-2, Table 

4-1). 

- 37 -


Figure 4-11 - Data Playback Screen Analysis Completed 

- 38 -


CHAPTER 5 

Inserts for Open-Field Activity 

Dark Box Insert (Light/Dark Test) 

NOTE: Inserts are not currently available for the VTI system. 

Dark Boxes are available for both the mouse (ENV-511) and rat (ENV-516) sized activity 

chambers. The two-compartment Light/Dark Test (Light/Dark Conflict Test) is one of the 

classic indices of anxiety and is easily incorporated into the system while examining other 

components of locomotor activity. The Dark Box Insert is opaque to visible light and 

designed to cover 1/2 the area of the OA Chamber. There is an opening into the Dark 

Box that allows the subject to pass freely, but is sufficiently small to minimize the 

amount of light that enters the darkened area. I/R Array height is the same as that for 

general open-field monitoring. 

The time spent in the light area or dark area, and entries into each zone, is determined 

using the Zone Analysis utility with two zones. The residual zone may be placed between 

the two zones to minimize artifact of "bouncing" or "flickering" as a subject enters or 

leaves a zone and to examine time in transition between the two zones. Match the two 

zones with the two areas of the Light/Dark test and analyze the data. Factory configured 

chambers are set up so that coordinate (0.5, 0.5) is at the opposite corner from the ENV- 

520 controller box and coordinate (16, 16) is in the same corner as the controller box. 

For complete instructions see Zone Analysis. 

Figure 5-1 - Zone Analysis Setup for the Light/Dark Insert 

- 39 -


Two Chamber Place Preference 

Two Chamber Place Preference is used for conditioned place preference paradigms. Like 

the Dark Box listed above, the Two Chamber Place Preference Insert is simply a box that 

slides into the chamber. After the box has been placed into the open-field environment 

the I/R array heights will need to be adjusted to ensure that the subjects are tracked 

properly (Chapter 1). 

The insert covers the entire area of the chamber. The outside of the box is constructed 

of clear polycarbonate. Stickers, paper, or any easily removable material may be applied 

to the outside of these clear walls to provide distinct visual stimuli to maximize 

contextual differences; however, do not cover the photo beams. Each side of the box 

has a different floor, grid rods and/or wire mesh. The lid is hinged to allow easy subject 

insertion and removal. A manual guillotine door is provided that allows the subject to 

pass freely, if so desired. As described above, the software can parse the session data 

into zones and determine the amount of time that a subject spends in either area. 

Applications for this insert include two chamber Conditioned Place Preference tests and 

other two chamber contextual protocols. Two Chamber Place Preference Inserts are 

available for the mouse and rat sized chambers. 

Hole Board Task Floor 

The Hole Board Task has been used for over ten years as a spatial orientation learning 

test, a short-term and long-term memory test, and an attention and curiosity monitoring 

protocol/device. The Hole Board Task Floor insert is placed into the open-field activity 

arena. The Hole Board Floor insert has 16 holes (four rows of four, equidistant holes) 

with an underlying food tray. The I/R Arrays must be attached using the lowest available 

screw holes. This places the photo-beams between the floor and the tray to detect 

entries into the holes. Food may be placed into the tray for learning and memory 

protocols using working and reference memory ratios. A second, non-reward application 

is to simply place the animal on to the Hole Board insert and monitor hole entries for 

novelty/curiosity assessment. Typical reward associated paradigms involve habituation, 

pre-testing protocols and non-habituation, no pre-testing protocols. See Chapter 7 and 

Appendix VII for more information on the running of this insert. 

- 40 -


CHAPTER 6 

Setting up an Ambulatory Experiment 

The next two chapters will cover how to set up, run, and analyze data. This chapter 

deals with running an ambulatory experiment, thus covering the procedures used with 

the OFA system alone or with either the Dark Box insert or the Place Preference insert. 

The following chapter will deal with how to run an experiment with the Hole Board insert. 

The first step is configuring both the Preferences and the Experiment options. First go to 

File | Preferences: 

Figure 6-1 - Preferences Menu Item 

For the purpose of this example, the system will be configured for an ENV-515 that is 

equipped with 16 beam arrays that will generate summary files, automatically name the 

files, and start on animal entry; the rest of this chapter will assume that the same 

configuration is being used 1 . When the screen looks like the one shown in Figure 6-2, 

click OK: 

1 Please note, if a mouse chamber is being used, set the chamber to ENV-510, but keep all other 

settings the same. 

- 41 -


Figure 6-2 - Preferences Screen 

Next the experiment must be configured. Select Run | Open Experiment | Add New 

Experiment and select the settings shown in Figure 6-3. 

Figure 6-3 - Configuration Screen 

- 42 -


When the preceding information has been entered, click on the Save As button and save 

as TEST.CFG 2 

Now the following on the screen will appear: 

Figure 6-4 - Screen that Loads/Starts Experiment 

Be sure that Start Box is checked and then select the OK button. 

If everything was done correctly, the screen should now look like this: 

2 By saving this file as “TEST.CFG,” the naming of files will remain constant throughout this 

chapter. When a “standard” experiment is set up, however, it is recommended that it be saved as 

the default (DEFAULT.CFG). Doing this will ensure that upon opening the Activity Monitor 

software the experiment that is ready to run is the desired experiment. 

- 43 -


Figure 6-5 - Run Time Screen in Wait Mode 

The chamber was configured only to start collecting data upon animal entry. Note the 

purple light at the bottom, right hand corner of the screen. This signifies that the box is 

loaded and awaiting an animal. At this point place an animal into the chamber and the 

screen will look like the image shown in Figure 6-6: 

- 44 -


Figure 6-6 - Run Time Screen as Experiment Runs 

Allow the experiment to run its course. When the designated time is up, in this case 

three minutes, the program will stop collecting data and the plot will stop moving with 

the animal, despite the fact that the animal is still moving. Now go to Run | Close 

Experiment the following screen will appear: 

Figure 6-7 - Close Experiment Dialog 

Click Yes to exit the run time screen. 

- 45 -


Now the data that has been collected, it is ready to be analyzed. Go to File | Data 

Analysis. A screen similar the following will appear: 


The top half of the screen displays all of the available experimental databases available. 

The bottom half is the subjects ran, sorted by ID. After clicking on the Test - Config 

row on the top half, select the proper subject on the bottom half. Clicking the row of the 

subject to be analyzed will do this. Since there is only one subject listed in this example, 

this is a moot point. 

Figure 6-9 - Data Analysis Option Screen 

The Data Analysis screen is shown in Figure 6-9. Before proceeding, be sure that all 

boxes in the lower left hand corner are selected, as shown. This will enable all of the 

features of the Data Analysis portion of the software. Since the information under the 

“General” section has already been set up the experiment was configured (Figure 6-3), it 

does not need to be changed. 

- 46 -


Click on Select Definition under Zone Calculations. 

Figure 6-10 - Zonal Analysis Screen 

For the purpose of this demonstration, the predefined Quadrants zonal analysis will be 

used. If a light/dark box insert or a place preference insert is being used, this will 

ensure that distinct data will be collected for each side. In this case, select the 

configuration shown in Figure 6-11, making sure to click Save As not only to save the 

user defined changes, but also to see the changes on the screen: 

Figure 6-11 - Example of Custom Zonal Analysis Screen 

- 47 -


Click Select Definition under Rotational Calculations on the main data analysis window. 

Figure 6-12 - Rotational Analysis Screen 

For the purpose of this demonstration, small rotations using the defined radius, 

segments, and limits shown above, will be used. Click OK, and then click Analyze on 

the main data analysis window. 

- 48 -


Figure 6-13 - Analysis Screen 

The above screen is the post analysis screen. This shows the analysis of all the data that 

was selected (e.g., revolutions and zonal entries). Clicking on either Previous or Next 

will cycle between each of the one-minute blocks to see how the data varied. To see the 

summary file that was created when the experiment was first run, go to the data 

directory (unless user changed, it will be C:\Program Files\Activity) and open the file in a 

text editor (e.g. Notepad): 

Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Summary 

To see the zone analysis file that was just created, open the file: 

Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Zone 

The file was saved in the database (ANALYSIS.MDB); so all data can be opened with a 

database. 

- 49 -


CHAPTER 7 

Setting up a Hole Board Experiment 

NOTE: Hole Boards are not supported by the VTI system. 

Click File | Preferences: 

Figure 7-1 - Menu Options for Setup 

For the purpose of this experiment an ENV-515 will be configured that will generate 

summary files and automatically name the files; the rest of this chapter will assume that 

the same configuration was used. When the screen looks like this one, click OK: 

Figure 7-2 - Preference Screen 

- 50 -


Next the experiment will be configured. Go to Run | Open Experiment | Add New 

Experiment and enter the settings shown in Figure 7-3. 

Figure 7-3 - Configuration Screen 

Since a hole board experiment is being run, Hole Board Floor Installed must be 

selected. If hole board strips that plug into Z strips (so that both activity and nose poke 

behavior can be measured) are being used, then click the Hole Board Strips Installed 

box as well. If not, leave this box unchecked. 

Next, click on Define Task Floor. Enter the following information. 

Figure 7-4 - Baited Hole Selection Screen 

- 51 -


Click on the appropriate hole to indicate which holes are the target, or baited, holes. 

Selected holes will be indicated in red. If a hole is inadvertently selected, click it a 

second time to deselect it. After the four holes listed above have been selected, select 

Terminate On Completion of Task, then click the OK button. At the main 

Experimental Configuration window, click the Save As button and save it as 

HOLEBOARD.CFG. 

Now go to Run | Open Experiment. Enter the settings shown in Figure 7-5: 

Figure 7-5 - Start Hole Board Experiment Screen 

Be sure Start Box is selected and click OK. 

If everything was done correctly, the screen shown in Figure 7-6 should appear. 

- 52 -


Figure 7-6 - Run Time Screen at Start 

As objects enter the holes, notice that the counts are incremented on the screen, as 

shown in Figure 7-7. 

- 53 -


Figure 7-7 - Run Time Screen while Experiment Runs 

Allow the experiment to run its course (i.e. trigger all four baited holes). At this point 

select Run | Close Experiment. When the screen shown in Figure 7-8 appears, select 

Yes. 

Figure 7-8 - Close Experiment Dialog 

With Activity Monitor Version 5, Data Analysis of saved data may be performed. With 

previous versions hole board strips needed to be installed in order to complete a Data 

Analysis. To complete a Data Analysis go to File | Data Analysis. The screen shown in 

Figure 7-9 will appear: 

- 54 -


Figure 7-9 - Hole Board Data Set Selection Screen 

The top half of the screen displays all of the experimental databases available. The 

bottom half is the subjects ran, sorted by ID. After clicking on the “987654321” row on 

the top half, select the proper subject on the bottom half. Click the row of the subject to 

analyze to do this. 

Figure 7-10 - Data Analysis Option Screen 

The Data Analysis screen is shown in Figure 7-10. Before proceeding, be sure that all 

boxes in the lower left hand corner are selected, as shown. This will enable all of the 

features of the Data Analysis portion of the software. For this hole board experiment all 

options will be left at their default values, so just click on Analyze to go to the main 

data analysis window. 

- 55 -


Figure 7-11 - Analysis Screen 

The above screen is the post analysis screen for hole board data. The red circles 

indicate the selected task holes, the green numbers indicate entries into the task holes, 

the yellow numbers indicate entries into non-task holes, and the solid red circle indicates 

repeated entries into a task hole. If the hole board strips are installed, then the screen 

can also show zonal data and revolution data. Clicking on either Previous or Next will 

cycle between each block. However, since only one three-minute block was defined for 

this example, the data will not change. To see the summary file that was created when 

the experiment was first run, go to the data directory (unless User changed, it will be 

C:\Program Files\Activity) and open the file in a text editor (e.g. Notepad): 

Subject_555_Group_222_Experiment_987654321.Summary 

To see the zone analysis file that was just created, open the file: 

Subject_555_Group_222_Experiment_987654321.Zone 

In this example the file was saved in the database (ANALYSIS.MDB); so all data can be 

opened with a database. 

- 56 -


APPENDIX I 

File Naming and File Types 

File Naming 

Summary and analyzed data files may be generated by the system, and will quickly fill 

the directory. Because of this, it is a good idea to know how each file is named. A file 

name is automatically generated based upon the Experiment ID, Subject ID, and Group 

ID entered into the Run Experiment setup and run screen. 

There are four types of data files. Three are ASCII text files and the fourth is the 

database files, with linked data contained in EXP.MDB and ANALYSIS.MDB. 

Summary data files contain a SUMMARY extension like the following, 

Subject_1_Group_1_Experiment_1.Summary. Exporting data generates a 

Subject_1_Group_1_Experiment_1.Export filename. 

Analyzed data files are named Subject_1_Group_1_Experiment_1.Zone. 

File Types 

Figure A1.1 - File Types 

Above are the file types used with the Activity Monitor system. From top to bottom, each 

of the file types are described below: 

- 57 -


1. Data subdirectory. It is a good idea to store the data in a separate folder. 

2. ActivDll.dll. Library file used by the Activity program. 

3. Activity.exe. The executable file that runs the show. 

4. Activity.hlp. The on-line help file. 

5. Activity.ini. Configuration file used to save the User Preferences. 

6. Analysis.ldb. This file contains instructions for Analysis.mdb. 

7. Analysis.mdb. This file contains the analyzed data in a database. 

8. Default.cfg. This file contains the experiment specific parameters required to 

sample and process data during acquisition. 

9. Default.pro. This is an analysis profile that contains the instructions needed by 

the software to do a specific, saved, and defined (by the user) analysis of the 

data. 

10. Default.zip. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FILE IN THE ACTIVITY DIRECTORY. 

THIS FILE CONTAINS ALL OF THE RAW DATA THAT WAS RECORDED DURING THE 

EXPERIMENTS. BACKUP THIS FILE OFTEN. Within this file is a 01012000.A01 - 

*.Z99 file for every subject run or imported. This name denotes month, day, 

year, and a unique identifier suffix (A01 - Z99). If 10 subjects are run, three 

times a day for 3 days, there would be three sets of files with the same month, 

day, year.A01 - A30. The information necessary for the software to discern which 

animal the file relates to in the file itself. 

11. Exp.ldb. This file contains instructions for Exp.mdb. 

12. Exp.mdb. This is the database file created the very first time that an experiment 

is entered, run a few subjects and close that session. Within this file are all of 

the pertinent header categories, summary data, block data, and specific session 

file ID's that link everything together. This information is linked to the analyzed 

data information in Analysis.mdb via Subject ID, etc. Cross tabulating is fairly 

straightforward and simple to; however, it may be more efficacious to perform 

SQL queries, which could require some programming help. 

13. Exp.wid. This file contains the instructions that define the column widths for the 

various tabular screens. 

14. Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Summary. This file is a 

summary data file for Subject 123 of Group 321 in Experiment Test-Config. 

15. Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Zone. This is an analyzed data 

file for Subject 123 of Group 321 in Experiment Test-Config. Any time that an 

analysis is done on this subject’s data, it is appended to the same file. 

- 58 -


APPENDIX II 

Available Data 

Summary Data 

The summary data filenames end with the SUMMARY extension. Summary data files can 

use either the Relative or Absolute data formats. Both formats are shown below. 

Printed : 09/03/2003 10:28:34 

Activity Summary, 5.10 

================ 

Experiment Title : Sample Test 

Experiment Comment : This is only a test 

Resolution (ms) : 50 

Box Size : 4 

Resting Delay (ms) : 500 

Ambulatory Trigger : 3 

Session Type : C 

Session Time (min) : 3 

Actual Run Time : 003:00.00 

Data Save Interval (sec) : 60 

Start on Animal Entry : Yes 

Raw Filename : 09032003.C0 

Chamber Number : 1 

Chamber Type : ENV-515-16 

Units : Cm 

Hole Board Installed : No 

Session Comment : This is the first trial 

Subject ID : 123 

Experiment ID : Test - Config 

Group ID : 321 

Session No : 1 

Data Filename : Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Summary 

Start Date : 9/3/03 

Start Time : 10:25:29 

Detail Reporting Mode : Absolute 

Dist. Time Amb. Time Ster. Time Vert. Vert. Session 

Trav. Amb. Cnts. Ster. Cnts. Rest. Cnts. Time Time 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========= 

189.46 000:02.65 28 000:11.65 131 000:45.70 64 000:09.30 001:00.00 

538.84 000:11.75 116 000:23.75 271 001:20.90 134 000:33.20 002:00.00 

826.76 000:16.95 181 000:32.60 374 002:05.95 192 000:51.80 003:00.00 

Jump Jump Average Ambulatory Session 

Counts Time Velocity Episodes Time 

======= ========= ========== ========== ========= 

0 000:00.00 26.83 3 001:00.00 

3 000:03.60 48.79 16 002:00.00 

4 000:04.50 56.83 23 003:00.00 

- 59 -


Printed : 09/03/2003 10:28:34 


================ 

Experiment Title : Sample Test 

Experiment Comment : This is only a test 


Box Size : 4 







Start on Animal Entry : Yes 

Raw Filename : 09032003.C0 



Units : Cm 

Hole Board Installed : No 

Session Comment : This is the first trial 


Experiment ID : Test - Config 



Data Filename : Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Summary 



Detail Reporting Mode : Relative 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========= 

189.46 000:02.65 28 000:11.65 131 000:45.70 64 000:09.30 001:00.00 

349.37 000:09.10 88 000:12.10 140 000:35.20 70 000:23.90 002:00.00 

287.92 000:05.20 65 000:08.85 103 000:45.05 58 000:18.60 003:00.00 



======= ========= ========== ========== ========= 

0 000:00.00 26.83 3 001:00.00 

3 000:03.60 53.86 13 002:00.00 

1 000:00.90 75.21 7 003:00.00 

=================================================================================== 

Distance Traveled : 826.76 

Time Ambulatory :000:16.95 

Ambulatory Count : 181 

Time Stereotypic :000:32.60 

Stereotypic Count : 374 

Time Resting :002:05.95 

Vertical Count : 192 

Time Vertical :000:51.80 

Jump Count : 4 

Time Jumping :000:04.50 

Average Velocity : 56.83 

Ambulatory Episodes : 23 

Summary data files contain the following measures: 

- 60 -


Measure 

(pre-analysis) 

Dist. Trav. (Cm or In - 

User-definable) 

Table A2.1 - Summary Data 

- 61 - 

Definition 

(Data are presented in block intervals and session totals) 

Distance traveled outside the Box. The combination of Box Size and Resting Delay 

create a threshold through which a subject must move a given distance (Box Size) in a 

defined period of time (Resting Delay) to maintain ambulatory movement status. 

Time Amb. (Sec) Time in ambulatory movement status. The time and distance (above) are used to 

determine velocity. 

Amb. Cnts. The number of beam breaks (counts) while in ambulatory movement status. The 

difference between counts and distance is precision. Distance data reflect differences in 

angular movements as discrete and counts data are angle independent. 

Time Ster. (Sec) Time spent breaking beams inside the Box. 

Ster. Cnts. Total number of beam breaks inside the Box. When the animal leaves the Box, it is 

considered an Ambulatory Episode and beam breaks are no longer counted as 

Stereotypic. When the animal then stops for an amount of time equal to the resting 

delay, a new Box based around the animals current position is established and beam 

breaks are once again counted as Stereotypic. 

Time Rest. (Sec) Time spent with no new beam breaks. 

Vert. Cnts. Number of periods of continuous beam breaks reported by the "Z" I/R Array strips. 

Vert. Time (Sec) Total time breaking "Z" beams. 

Session Time Total session time 

Jump Counts If a subject jumps and leaves the photo-beam array for a period of time, the software 

records 0,0’s for that period of time. The number of continuous 0,0 records will be 

counted. If the "X" & "Y" I/R Array strips have not been well centered on the subject, 

there may be error in this data (Chapter 1). 

Jump Time (Sec.) Time spent with 0,0 coordinates, which indicate a jump, under the beams or standing 

against the wall with all photo-beams passing through their legs. Use care when 

adjusting the photo-beam array heights. 

Average Velocity 

(Cm/Sec or In/Sec) 

The average velocity for each data block and total for the session. This measure may be 

very useful for establishing criteria by which Box Size and Resting Delay times may be 

set to establish meaningful Ambulatory settings for various screening protocols. See 

Appendix IV for additional information. 

Ambulatory Episodes The number of times that the subject leaves the Box and travels the user-defined 

ambulatory trigger number of beams before the resting delay criteria is fulfilled. 

Hole Board Data See Table A2.3.


Analyzed Data 

The analyzed data filenames end with the ZONE extension. Analyzed data files can use 

either the Relative or Absolute data formats. Both formats are shown below. 

09/03/2003 11:47:39 

Activity Zone Analysis, 5.10 

====================== 

Experiment Title: Sample Test 

Experiment Comment: This is only a test 

Number of Test Chambers: 1 

Resolution (ms): 50 

Box Size: 4 

Resting Delay (ms): 500 

Session Time (min): 3 

Data Directory Name: C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACTIVITY MONITOR\DATA\ 

Raw Data File: 09032003.C0 

Text Data File: Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Zone 

Chamber Type: ENV-515-16 

Units: Cm 

Chamber Number: 1 

Session Comment: This is the first trial 

Subject ID: 123 

Experiment ID: Test - Config 

Group ID: 321 

Session No: 1 

Start: 9/3/03 10:25:29 

Start Time Displayed (mins): 000:00.00 

End Time Displayed (mins): 003:00.00 

Block Time (secs): 60 

Detail Reporting Mode: Absolute 

Rotational Analysis 

------------------- 

Number Of Quadrants X: 17 

Y: 17 

Valid Radius: 2.75 

Segments: 16 

Segment Limit: 5 

Reverse Limit: 5 

Counter 

Clockwise Clockwise 

---------- ---------- 

Block 1 0 5 

Block 2 3 10 

Block 3 3 14 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

- 62 -


Zones Defined 

------------- 

Start X Start Y End X End Y 

------- ------- ------- ------- 

Zone 1 0.5 0.5 8 8 

Zone 2 8 0.5 16 8 

Zone 3 0.5 8 8 16 

Zone 4 8 8 16 16 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 1 (0.5, 0.5) to (8, 8) 

Dist. Time Amb. Time Ster. Time Vert. Vert. Zone Zone 

Tr.(cm) Amb. Cnts. Ster. Cnts. Rest. Cnts. Time Entries Time 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== ======= 

57.90 000:00.85 7 000:04.40 50 000:25.05 19 000:02.80 6 000:30.30 

101.45 000:01.50 13 000:06.05 68 000:33.50 24 000:06.25 9 000:41.05 

223.22 000:03.95 39 000:10.00 113 000:42.55 51 000:12.90 16 000:56.50 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 2 (8, 0.5) to (16, 8) 



================ ===== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== ========= 

49.01 000:00.75 7 000:03.75 45 000:11.25 20 000:02.30 4 000:15.75 

145.47 000:03.55 33 000:08.80 103 000:24.15 40 000:10.20 9 000:37.60 

208.35 000:04.50 44 000:10.90 127 000:51.15 52 000:16.10 15 001:07.65 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 3 (0.5, 8) to (8, 16) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== ======== 

36.42 000:00.70 9 000:01.55 16 000:02.85 14 000:02.85 6 000:05.10 

123.28 000:03.10 36 000:04.15 46 000:10.05 32 000:09.00 9 000:17.30 

162.55 000:04.05 50 000:04.70 52 000:11.75 38 000:10.80 13 000:21.40 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 4 (8, 8) to (16, 16) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========= ========= 

46.14 000:00.35 5 000:01.95 20 000:06.55 11 000:01.35 5 000:08.85 

168.63 000:03.60 34 000:04.75 54 000:13.20 38 000:07.75 10 000:24.05 

232.64 000:04.45 48 000:07.00 82 000:20.50 51 000:12.00 16 000:34.45 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

- 63 -


Zone Totals 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== ======== 

223.22 000:03.95 39 000:10.00 113 000:42.55 51 000:12.90 16 000:56.50 

208.35 000:04.50 44 000:10.90 127 000:51.15 52 000:16.10 15 001:07.65 

162.55 000:04.05 50 000:04.70 52 000:11.75 38 000:10.80 13 000:21.40 

232.64 000:04.45 48 000:07.00 82 000:20.50 51 000:12.00 16 000:34.45 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== ======== 

826.76 000:16.95 181 000:32.60 374 002:05.95 192 000:51.80 60 003:00.00 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Block Summary 

------------- 

Dist. Time Amb. Time Ster. Time Vert. Vert. Zone 

Trav.(cm) Amb. Cnts. Ster. Cnts. Rest. Cnts. Time Entries 

========== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

189.46 000:02.65 28 000:11.65 131 000:45.70 64 000:09.30 21 

538.84 000:11.75 116 000:23.75 271 001:20.90 134 000:33.20 37 

826.76 000:16.95 181 000:32.60 374 002:05.95 192 000:51.80 60 

Block Summary (Cont) 

-------------------- 


Counts Time Velocity(cm/s) Episodes Time 

========== ========= ============== ========== ========= 

0 000:00.00 26.83 3 001:00.00 

3 000:03.60 48.79 16 002:00.00 

4 000:04.50 56.83 23 003:00.00 

- 64 -


09/03/2003 11:48:29 

Activity Zone Analysis, 5.10 

====================== 





Box Size: 4 



Data Directory Name: C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACTIVITY MONITOR\DATA\ 

Raw Data File: 09032003.C0 

Text Data File: Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test-Config.Zone 

Chamber Type: ENV-515-16 

Units: Cm 





Group ID: 321 

Session No: 1 

Start: 9/3/03 10:25:29 

Start Time Displayed (mins): 000:00.00 

End Time Displayed (mins): 003:00.00 

Block Time (secs): 60 

Detail Reporting Mode: Relative 

Rotational Analysis 

------------------- 

Number Of Quadrants X: 17 

Y: 17 

Valid Radius: 2.75 

Segments: 16 

Segment Limit: 5 

Reverse Limit: 5 

Counter 

Clockwise Clockwise 

---------- ---------- 

Block 1 0 5 

Block 2 3 5 

Block 3 0 4 

---------- ---------- 

Total 3 14 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zones Defined 

------------- 

Start X Start Y End X End Y 

------- ------- ------- ------- 

Zone 1 0.5 0.5 8 8 

Zone 2 8 0.5 16 8 

Zone 3 0.5 8 8 16 

Zone 4 8 8 16 16 

- 65 -


------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 1 (0.5, 0.5) to (8, 8) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

57.90 000:00.85 7 000:04.40 50 000:25.05 19 000:02.80 6 000:30.30 

43.56 000:00.65 6 000:01.65 18 000:08.45 5 000:03.45 3 000:10.75 

121.76 000:02.45 26 000:03.95 45 000:09.05 27 000:06.65 7 000:15.45 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

223.22 000:03.95 39 000:10.00 113 000:42.55 51 000:12.90 16 000:56.50 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 2 (8, 0.5) to (16, 8) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

49.01 000:00.75 7 000:03.75 45 000:11.25 20 000:02.30 4 000:15.75 

96.47 000:02.80 26 000:05.05 58 000:12.90 20 000:07.90 5 000:21.85 

62.88 000:00.95 11 000:02.10 24 000:27.00 12 000:05.90 6 000:30.05 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

208.35 000:04.50 44 000:10.90 127 000:51.15 52 000:16.10 15 001:07.65 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 3 (0.5, 8) to (8, 16) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

36.42 000:00.70 9 000:01.55 16 000:02.85 14 000:02.85 6 000:05.10 

86.86 000:02.40 27 000:02.60 30 000:07.20 18 000:06.15 3 000:12.20 

39.27 000:00.95 4 000:00.55 6 000:01.70 6 000:01.80 4 000:04.10 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

162.55 000:04.05 50 000:04.70 52 000:11.75 38 000:10.80 13 000:21.40 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Zone 4 (8, 8) to (16, 16) 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

46.14 000:00.35 5 000:01.95 20 000:06.55 11 000:01.35 5 000:08.85 

122.49 000:03.25 29 000:02.80 34 000:06.65 27 000:06.40 5 000:15.20 

64.00 000:00.85 14 000:02.25 28 000:07.30 13 000:04.25 6 000:10.40 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

232.64 000:04.45 48 000:07.00 82 000:20.50 51 000:12.00 16 000:34.45 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

- 66 -


Zone Totals 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

223.22 000:03.95 39 000:10.00 113 000:42.55 51 000:12.90 16 000:56.50 

208.35 000:04.50 44 000:10.90 127 000:51.15 52 000:16.10 15 001:07.65 

162.55 000:04.05 50 000:04.70 52 000:11.75 38 000:10.80 13 000:21.40 

232.64 000:04.45 48 000:07.00 82 000:20.50 51 000:12.00 16 000:34.45 

======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

826.76 000:16.95 181 000:32.60 374 002:05.95 192 000:51.80 60 003:00.00 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Block Summary 

------------- 

Dist. Time Amb. Time Ster. Time Vert. Vert. Zone 

Trav.(cm) Amb. Cnts. Ster. Cnts. Rest. Cnts. Time Entries 

========== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

189.46 000:02.65 28 000:11.65 131 000:45.70 64 000:09.30 21 

349.37 000:09.10 88 000:12.10 140 000:35.20 70 000:23.90 16 

287.92 000:05.20 65 000:08.85 103 000:45.05 58 000:18.60 23 

========== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========== 

826.76 000:16.95 181 000:32.60 374 002:05.95 192 000:51.80 60 

Block Summary (Cont) 

-------------------- 


Counts Time Velocity(cm/s) Episodes Time 

========== ========= ============== ========== ========= 

0 000:00.00 26.83 3 001:00.00 

3 000:03.60 53.86 13 001:00.00 

1 000:00.90 75.21 7 001:00.00 

========== ========= ============== ========== ========= 

4 000:04.50 56.83 23 003:00.00 

- 67 -


The data analysis file contains the first 13 measures listed in the summary data table 

(A2.1) above plus the following measures: 

Table A2.2 - Analyzed Data 

Measure 

Definition 

(Data may be presented in block intervals by zone 

with zone and session totals) 

Rotational Analysis Maximum radius is user definable. Rotations are presented as clockwise 

and counterclockwise counts. 

Zone Entries The number of times the animal entered the zone from a different zone. 

Zone Time Amount of time the animal is present in each zone. 

NOTE: All data may be re-analyzed using different parameters, so make sure that the 

same measures are being used when performing the statistical analysis. 

- 68 -


Hole Board Task Data 

The hole board data filenames end with the SUMMARY extension. If hole board strips 

are installed, then the hole board data files may contain block information with either the 

Relative or Absolute data formats, just like a regular summary data file. Below is an 

example of a hole board data file without hole board strips installed and with hole board 

strips installed. 

Printed : 09/02/2003 11:19:18 


================ 

Experiment Title : Hole Board Test 

Experiment Comment : Just a test 


Box Size : 3 







Start on Animal Entry : No 

Raw Filename : 09022003.D0 



Units : Cm 

Hole Board Installed : Yes 

Terminate on Task Completion: Yes 

Hole Board Strips Installed : Yes 

Task Holes : 1, 7, 9, 15 

Session Comment : None 


Experiment ID : 987654321 



Data Filename : Subject_555_Group_222_Experiment_987654321.Summary 



Total Session Time : 001:15.95 

Task Complete Time : 001:15.60 

Latency To First Hole : 000:17.15 

Novel Task Entries : 4 

Novel NonTask Entries : 6 

Novel Entries : 10 

Repeat Task Entries : 1 

Repeat NonTask Entries: 7 

Repeat Entries : 8 

Total Entries : 18 

- 69 -


Avg. Novel Task IRT : 19.45 

Avg. Novel NonTask IRT: 5.37 

Avg. Novel Total IRT : 6.48 

Working Memory Ratio : 0.80 

Reference Memory Ratio: 0.28 

Printed : 09/02/2003 11:19:18 


================ 

Experiment Title : Hole Board Test 

Experiment Comment : Just a test 


Box Size : 3 







Start on Animal Entry : No 

Raw Filename : 09022003.D0 



Units : Cm 

Hole Board Installed : Yes 

Terminate on Task Completion: Yes 

Hole Board Strips Installed : Yes 

Task Holes : 1, 7, 9, 15 

Session Comment : None 


Experiment ID : 987654321 



Data Filename : Subject_555_Group_222_Experiment_987654321.Summary 



Detail Reporting Mode : Absolute 



======= ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ====== ========= ========= 

129.95 000:01.80 45 000:00.45 9 000:21.50 0 000:00.00 001:15.95 



======= ========= ========== ========== ========= 

62 000:34.60 97.00 10 001:15.95 

Total Session Time : 001:15.95 

Task Complete Time : 001:15.60 

Latency To First Hole : 000:17.15 

- 70 -


Novel Task Entries : 4 

Novel NonTask Entries : 6 

Novel Entries : 10 

Repeat Task Entries : 1 

Repeat NonTask Entries: 7 

Repeat Entries : 8 

Total Entries : 18 

Avg. Novel Task IRT : 19.45 

Avg. Novel NonTask IRT: 5.37 

Avg. Novel Total IRT : 6.48 

Working Memory Ratio : 0.80 

Reference Memory Ratio: 0.28 

The hole board data file contains the first 13 measures listed in the summary data table 

(A2.1) above plus the following measures: 

Table A2.3 - Hole Board data 

Measure Definition 

Total Session Time The time necessary to run the session. This may be the task completion 

time or the session limit time depending upon the setup. 

Task Completion Time Time to enter all of the user-defined (task) holes. 

Latency to First Hole The time elapsed between starting the experiment and entry into the 

first hole. 

Novel Task Entries Total task holes entered at least once. 

Novel NonTask Entries Total non-task holes entered at least once. 

Novel Entries Entering a hole for the first time. 

Repeat Task Entries Total re-entries into task holes. 

Repeat Non-Task Entries Total re-entries into non-task holes. 

Repeat Entries Each subsequent entry after a novel entry. These can be task or nontask 

holes. 

Total Entries The total number of entries for an entire session. 

Avg. Novel Task IRT Average time between novel task hole entries. 

Avg. Novel NonTask IRT Average time between novel non-task hole entries. 

Avg. Novel Total IRT Average time between total hole entries. 

Working Memory Ratio The number of novel entries into baited holes divided by the number of 

entries and re-entries into baited holes. 

Reference Memory Ratio The number of entries and re-entries into the baited holes divided by 

the total number of entries into baited and non-baited holes. 

- 71 -


Exported Raw Data Files 

The exported data filenames end with the EXPORT extension. The data files contain the 

raw data that was recorded when the experiment was first run. The raw data can be 

exported in the Annotated or Stripped format. Examples of both are given below. 

Annotated 





Box Size: 4 


Session Type: C 


Hole Board Installed: No 

Data Save Interval (sec): 60 

Data Save Mode: R 

Raw Data Filename: 09032003.C0 





Group ID: 321 

Text Data Filename: Subject_123_Group_321_Experiment_Test- 

Config.Summary 

Start Date: 09/03/2003 

Start Time: 10:25:29 

Time X Y Z 

========= ===== ===== ===== 

000:00.05 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.10 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.15 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.20 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.25 10.00 5.00 0.00 

000:00.30 10.00 5.00 0.00 

. 

. 

. 

002:59.75 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.80 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.85 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.90 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.95 9.00 1.00 0.00 

003:00.00 9.00 1.00 0.00 

- 72 -


Stripped 

000:00.05 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.10 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.15 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.20 10.00 5.50 0.00 

000:00.25 10.00 5.00 0.00 

000:00.30 10.00 5.00 0.00 

. 

. 

. 

002:59.75 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.80 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.85 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.90 9.00 1.00 0.00 

002:59.95 9.00 1.00 0.00 

003:00.00 9.00 1.00 0.00 

- 73 -


APPENDIX III 

Importing Data Using MDB to Excel 

Start Activity MDBtoExcel. The screen shown in Figure A3.1 will appear. 

Figure A3.1 – Activity MDB to Excel Converter 

Click Browse to select the .mdb file to convert, as shown in Figure A3.2, and click 

Open. 

- 74 -


Figure A3.2 - Choose File to Import 

The screen shown in Figure A3.3 will appear. 

Figure A3.3 - Select Data 

Select the data to be included in the query and then click OK. The screen shown in Figure 

A3.4 will appear next. 

- 75 -


Figure A3.4 – Select Order of Data 

The order of the four columns shown in Figure A3.4 may be changed using the pulldown 

menus. Select the data to be imported. When all the proper selections have been made, 

click Convert. The converted data will be displayed on the bottom of the screen, as 

shown in Figure A3.5. Selecting “Open CSV file” prior to clicking Convert will 

automatically open the imported data in Excel. 

Selecting “Clear Settings” deletes all of the data selections made on the screen shown in 

Figure A3.3. Click “Select Data” to return to this screen and make new selections. 

- 76 -


Figure A3.5 – Displaying Imported Data 

Click on Save As to save the data in .csv format. 

- 77 -


APPENDIX IV 

Using Box Size, Resting Delay, Include Resting Delay, and 

Ambulatory Trigger 

Defining Distance Traveled 

Box Size is the user-defined number of X or Y photo-beams that must be broken before a 

movement can be considered ambulatory. Starting at time 0, the box is centered on the 

subject. When the animal moves from within the Box to outside the Box, it is considered 

ambulatory and the Box re-centers on the subject. The subject remains ambulatory until 

it does not leave the last re-centered Box in less than the Resting Delay. Ambulatory 

Time, Counts, and Distance Traveled are then calculated. If the subject travels equal to 

or further than the Ambulatory Trigger during the time prior to the Resting Delay criteria 

being fulfilled, then this constitutes one Ambulatory Episode and velocity is calculated. 

The Ambulatory Distance measure includes the distance from the end of the last 

ambulatory movement episode (time 0 or the last episode whereby the subject did not 

exit the Box in less than the Resting Delay) to the end of the subsequent ambulatory 

episode. For example, Figure A4.1 represents a 2-beam Box with a subject making 5 

movements within the Box and 2 outside. 

Figure A4.1 - Include Resting Delay distance. The pictured dots represent photo beams and 

each grid represents ½ of a photo beam (the software resolution). Each arrow with a 

corresponding number represents a subject movement. The dashed arrow is the transition 

movement to ambulatory and the dashed box is the re-centered box. The dark arrow is the 

last subject movement and C – E and BB and the beams broken during the ambulatory 

movement. 

- 78 -


Only the distance from X to 6 (the dashed line) is used to determine the Distance 

Traveled. In this manner, movements within the Box are eliminated, thus providing a 

"filtered" Distance Traveled measure. At 6 above, the Box re-centers on the subject. If 

the subject moves through the next Box in less than the Resting Delay, the ambulatory 

Distance Traveled is the distance from X to 6 + the distance to 7. The number of X + Y 

photo beam breaks that occurred is the Ambulatory Count. Ambulatory Time is defined 

as the time from leaving the first Box, until the time that the subject enters the last Box 

and does not leave in less than the Resting Delay. And this all occurs in one Ambulatory 

Episode. 

If data are parsed into time blocks, an Ambulatory Episode and its associated velocity is 

only logged in the block in which it ends. Ambulatory Distance Traveled is logged across 

time blocks, however. 

Distance Traveled is modified if Include Resting Delay is activated. If the animal moves 

from X to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then 6 before the Resting Delay has elapsed, the sum of all 

movements (distances) from X through 6 is used to determine the Distance Traveled. If 

the Resting Delay times-out prior to the subject leaving the Box, then the distance from 

X to 6 is used to determine the Distance Traveled. This measure has been included to 

allow for consistency with other systems that do not have this "filtering." 

The Ambulatory Trigger number adds an additional variable. This number represents the 

minimum total X + Y beam breaks that must occur to be considered an Ambulatory 

Episode. The beams must be broken before the Box times-out in order for the 

Ambulatory Episode and velocity for that given episode to be acquired. 

In Figure A4.1, A - D and AA are the beams broken after leaving the box and during a 

continuous movement of two user-defined sample times (resolution). An Ambulatory 

Trigger of 4 or less would enable measures 1 and 2 (above) to be determined. 

The Ambulatory Trigger is useful if trying to generate a velocity measure that enables the 

user to determine a Box Size and Resting Delay to differentiate between large/quick and 

small/slow movements (below). The Ambulatory Trigger can also be used to further 

define the onset of an ambulatory episode, beyond Box Size and Resting Delay, as 

continuous. 

Differentiating Between Large/Quick and Small/Slow Movements 

Given the Box Size, Resting Delay, and Ambulatory Trigger functions described above, it 

is possible to differentiate groups of subjects based upon their types of movements. The 

defining measures would be Ambulatory Time, Ambulatory Counts, Ambulatory Episodes, 

Average Velocity, and Distance Traveled. 

Let's assume that we have two groups of subjects, one control group (C) and one 

locomotor impaired group. The locomotor impaired group is a Parkinsonian animal model 

(P), for example. If we were to measure Distance Traveled between the two groups, C's 

may move 1000 cm in 20 minutes with periods of quick movements (high velocity) and 

periods of minimal movements (resting or stereotypic). Within a 20-minute period, P's 

may also move 1000 cm with few, if any, fast movements but continuous slow 

- 79 -


movements. Therefore, Distance Traveled may not accurately depict between-group 

differences in locomotor activity. 

The Box Size and the Resting Delay combine to create a threshold whereby a subject 

must move a certain distance (Box Size) in a maximum amount of time (Resting Delay) to 

maintain its ambulatory status. By determining a Box Size large enough for C's to leave 

in an amount of time (Resting Delay) that P's cannot, the user may be able to 

differentiate the groups by analyzing for Ambulatory Times and Counts. 

- 80 -


APPENDIX V 

Multiple Users 

Perform the following steps to setup Activity Monitor Version 5.2 and higher so that 

multiple users can have their own database of experiments: 

1. Create the new data directories. For the sake of demonstration, we will say the 

directory names are “C:\LAB1” and “C:\LAB2”; 

2. Right click on the activity.exe file in the Activity Monitor folder. Highlight and click 

on Send To | Desktop (create shortcut), see Figure A5.1; 

Figure A5.1 - Right Click Menu for Activity Monitor Shortcut 

3. Create as many shortcuts as there are new data directories (in this example, 

two); 

4. Right click on one of the shortcuts that have just been created and select 

Properties; 

5. Change the Target box from “C:\Program Files\Activity Monitor\Activity.exe” to 

read “C:\Program Files\Activity Monitor\Activity.exe” LAB1 (Figure A5.2); 

- 81 -


Figure A5.2 - Properties of Activity Monitor Shortcut 

LAB1 will be the name of the INI file that will store all of the Activity Monitor 

preferences including the Data Directory. There can be no spaces in the file 

name. 

Make the same change to each shortcut that was created. 

6. Now when Activity Monitor is started with the new shortcut go to the File | 

Preferences; 

7. Click on the Browse button and select the directory that was just created (e.g. 

C:\LAB1) 

When the Preferences screen is closed it will create a new file called LAB1.INI file in the 

C:\Program Files\Activity Monitor directory. 

It is recommend that the shortcuts be renamed to something meaningful. The Activity 

Monitor program has been developed to create the databases, *.SUMMARY, *.ZONE, 

*.EXPORT, and *.ZIP files in the directory indicated. 

- 82 -


APPENDIX VI 

ENV-520 Jumper Positions for Nodes 1-16 (Chambers 1-8) 

Inside the silver ENV-520 controller box is a board with four rows of two pins. The pins 

are located in the bottom right corner. These pins are used to set the address (node) of 

each controller (and ultimately, chamber). The chambers are configured prior to 

shipping; however, should the need to change the address of a chamber arise, the 

following settings should be used. The jumpers that are removed indicate the chamber 

number. 

Note: 32-beam chambers have two nodes per chamber. The nodes do not go in order 

instead they run 1 and 9, 2 and 10, 3 and 11, etc. 

Figure A6.1 - Jumper settings for the ENV-520 

- 83 -


APPENDIX VII 

Hole Board Protocols 

Non-Habituation Protocol 

Typically, food deprived (overnight deprived or 80% body weight deprived) subjects are 

placed into the test chamber. All 16-hole board task holes are baited with food. 

Protocols can end when the session time expires or upon completion of the task (see 

Chapter 7). The task is defined in this paradigm as at least one entry into each of the 16 

holes. The task can be timed behaviorally and the trial terminated upon completion of 

the task or a fixed time trial can be run whereby post-task data may be obtained. The 

subjects learn over trials to optimize reward and must also remember (spatially) which 

holes it has already "visited" in the current trial. 

Habituation Protocol 

Animals may be habituated to the procedure by introducing them to the hole board and 

running the animals with a reward placed in all 16 holes. The habituation period can 

then be followed by a training period. During these sessions, the animals can be trained 

to find task-associated holes that are filled with an accessible food pellet. Non-task 

associated holes have the reward placed under the screen. In this way, the subjects 

cannot discriminate between baited and non-baited holes by olfactory stimuli. Subjects 

may be removed from the hole board either after all task holes were visited (File | Run 

| Open Experiment | Add New Experiment | Define Task Floor | Terminate on 

completion of task) or after the total testing time. Reference memory is defined as 

the number of visits and revisits to the baited holes divided by the total number of visits 

to baited and non-baited holes. Working memory is calculated as the ratio of the number 

of novel food rewarded visits to the total number of visits and revisits to the baited set of 

holes. 

- 84 -


APPENDIX VIII 

Start on Remote Start Command 

Figure A8.1 - Preferences 

The Start on Remote Start option enables the user to synchronize the recording of 

data from the activity chamber with an external program (ex: MED-PC IV). When the 

Start on Remote Start option is selected, Activity Monitor will not start recording data 

until the Remote Start command arrives. To use Start on Remote Start, start the 

experiment as normal, then have MED-PC send the Remote Start command at the 

appropriate time. 

The Remote Start command is included in the file MED Global Functions.dll. This file was 

installed on the computer when Activity Monitor 5 was installed. If Windows 98 is being 

used, this file was installed into the C:\Windows\System directory. If Windows 2000 is 

being used, this file was installed into the C:\WINNT\System32 directory. If Windows XP 

is being used, this file was installed into the C:\Windows\System32 directory. 

The function that is used to issue the Remote Start command looks like: 

void StartActivityChamber(int Box); 

The Box parameter is the chamber number to start (i.e. 1 – 8). Entering 0 as the Box 

number will cause Activity Monitor to start all of the chambers. 

To issue the command from inside MED-PC IV, include the file ACTIVITY.HED in the 

USER.PAS file. For example: 

{Place $I Filename.HED files here.} 

{$I ACTIVITY.HED} 

- 85 -


Then from inside the program issue the StartActivityChamber command as follows: 

S.S.1, 

S1, 

.01": ~StartActivityChamber(BOX);~ ---> S2 

It is also possible to send the StartActivityChamber command from a DOS Prompt. To 

send the command from a DOS Prompt use the RUNDLL32 command as follows: 

Windows 98: RUNDLL32 

C:\Windows\System\MEDGlo~1.dll,StartActivityChamberCmd 1 

Windows 2000: RUNDLL32 

C:\WINNT\System32\MEDGlo~1.dll,StartActivityChamberCmd 1 

Windows XP: RUNDLL32 

C:\Windows\System32\MEDGlo~1.dll,StartActivityChamberCmd 1 

Use the DOS 8.3 file name format as shown above and in Figure A8.2 or the command 

will not work. 

Figure A8.2 – StartActivityChamber command sent from a Windows 98 DOS prompt 

There is a corresponding StopActivityChamber command, which stops the corresponding 

chamber when the command is received. The StopActivityChamber usage is identical to 

StartActivityChamber, as documented above. 

- 86 -


APPENDIX IX 

DIG-729 ISA Card 

If a DIG-729 ISA card is being used, install the DIG-729 card according to the 

instructions provided with the computer for installing an ISA card. The Interrupt Request 

(IRQ) number may be changed from the factory default of 5 by moving the jumper on J4 

to 3, 4, or 7 (Figure A9.1). This should not be done unless there is a conflict with 

another device in the system. The base address also should not be changed unless there 

is a conflict. 

Figure A9.1 - DIG-729 ISA Switch Locations and Jumper Settings 

- 87 -

ACTIVITY MONITOR - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?